present perfect/simple past

[clairec]

Hi.
As usual, I still have problems with tenses (and not only...). Do you think the following sentence is correct?:
My baby's got an infection. I had to call the doctor.
Or should I say:
My baby's got an infection: I've had to call the doctor

Or maybe they're both right?

[5jj]

They are both fine. Only the second suggests that the doctor has not yet come, or, if s/he has come, then s/he has not yet departed.

[TheParser]

Hi.
As usual, I still have problems with tenses (and not only...). Do you think the following sentence is correct?:
My baby's got an infection. I had to call the doctor.
Or should I say:
My baby's got an infection: I've had to call the doctor

Or maybe they're both right?

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) Don't feel bad. Even many of us native speakers "have problems with [the] tenses."

(2) I think that both answers are correct -- depending on CONTEXT (as our wonderful

teachers always remind us).

*****

Husband (returns from work): Was someone here earlier in the day? As I was parking the car, Mrs. Parser told me that she saw a strange man leave our house.

Wife: Oh, I didn't have time to call you. Our baby's got an infection. I had to call the
doctor! He just left 15 minutes ago.

Husband: Oh, I see!

Wife: Next time tell Mrs. Parser to mind her own business!

*****

Husband (returns from work): I'm as hungry as a horse. What's for dinner, honey?

Wife: I haven't started dinner yet.

Husband: What!

Wife: Our baby's got an infection. I have had to call the doctor. He should be here
in 15 minutes.

Husband: Oh, that's terrible. But you are still going to cook my dinner, aren't you?

(4) I hope that I used the tenses correctly. If I didn't, a teacher will let us know.

[clairec]

Thank you very much for the two illuminating examples, now things are much clearer...at this point I really hope teachers will agree with you.